Tone differences between power amps

[Gonzo476]

First of all, I'm really not trying to star a flame war here, I'm just curious to know why some power amp units that offer almost the same specs are significantly more expensive than others.

Do you notice any differences in tone between a class D or an A/B power amp? What about power amps of the same class but from different brands?

 

[MontanaBassDude]

I'm writng this under the influence of three shots of cuervo gold. So I'm looking at the big gigging picture here.

And NO disrespect to your origianl question.

My first reaction... COULD the drunk in the back of the room working on his third shot ever hear a diference? When I start to obsess over tone, I always want to take a step back and ask myself that. Is it worth the extra $$ to to try and impress that guy?

 

[iualum]

I'm writng this under the influence of three shots of cuervo gold. So I'm looking at the big gigging picture here.

And NO disrespect to your origianl question.

My first reaction... COULD the drunk in the back of the room working on his third shot ever hear a diference? When I start to obsess over tone, I always want to take a step back and ask myself that. Is it worth the extra $$ to to try and impress that guy?

Very valid. You've earned another shot or two .

 

[Gab124]

Sometimes tone is about making yourself happy.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Its not just price and power ratings you have to look at, there are a lot of other features that bump the price up. Additionally, different amps approach their limits more gracefully than others. There are some really great low price options, if you dont want to break your bank on a power amp.

 

[Gonzo476]

Its not just price and power ratings you have to look at, there are a lot of other features that bump the price up. Additionally, different amps approach their limits more gracefully than others. There are some really great low price options, if you dont want to break your bank on a power amp.

I know, I've been using a cheap Peavey IPR1600 for almost a year and I have absolutely no complaints. I was simply curious as to why Crown, QSC and other top-end power amp brands are so popular.

 

[MontanaBassDude]

In the music biz, bragger's rights have a lot to do with everything.

 

[Nephilymbass]

You got me. I know when I plug my sans amp
RBI into my swr750 it sounds much better and louder then the qsc power amp I have that's supposed to be Twice the power

 

[Nephilymbass]

I'm writng this under the influence of three shots of cuervo gold. So I'm looking at the big gigging picture here.

And NO disrespect to your origianl question.

My first reaction... COULD the drunk in the back of the room working on his third shot ever hear a diference? When I start to obsess over tone, I always want to take a step back and ask myself that. Is it worth the extra $$ to to try and impress that guy?

I totally agree with this. When I was young I played German warwicks and an swr rig and was a bit of a snob. After hundreds of shows I can say other than visually the crowd could care less. And even then. The visual side people are more impressed seeing ampeg Marshall and Mesa than eden swr or accugroove or any of that stuff.

 

[svtb15]

Tone is ALWAYS about making me happy. ... If im happy , then its going to come out in what i do.. My job ends at the edge of stage.. its FOH job to take care of everything past that. I dont worry if im in the House or not. Its not my job to...

If i have to play to the entire room. then I still do what makes me happy.. everyone has a different need... weight vs power vs etc etc..
Mine is to be happy... that will come across much more in playing and presence on stage than if your amps slew rate is a few uf low.... IMO

( there was a time in the not too distant past when there were no lightweight amps folks)
If weight or size were not an issue ever.. . If its a power amp thing. I like lead sleds..

I know people have said a million times in here that there is no difference between one and the other if the amp is designed well and gain staged etc etc..
and they post all their credentials and how much experience they have and papers they have written and companies they worked for. etc.. . . Doesn't matter to me. Ive done my taste tests and i like the lead sled. TO me there is a difference..

My fave amp of all time is the disconnected Crown PSA2.. and the old Crest 8001 .. Nothing ever felt to me the way they do... like a sledgehammer , but they weight a ton!